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CPT code 97597: Selective wound debridement, first 20 sq cm or less2026 Medicare rate & RVUs in Washington, DC area

Selective removal of devitalized tissue, fibrin, slough, or biofilm from an open wound, reported once per session for the first 20 square centimeters of total treated surface.

CMS RVU26DEffective Oct 1, 2026One payment locality684.9K Medicare services in 2024

In Washington, DC area, Medicare pays $116.40 for 97597 in the office and $33.38 when it’s performed in a hospital or facility.

$116.40Office (non-facility)
$33.38Hospital or facility
+14.6%vs the national office rate ($101.54)

Check a contract rate as a % of Medicare · 97597 nationwide

Medicare allowed amount for participating (non-QP) physicians, before deductible, coinsurance and claim adjustments. Not a patient’s bill or a hospital charge.

We’ll open 97597 for the payment locality that covers the ZIP.

On this page 11 sections
  1. Rate in Washington, DC area
  2. What 97597 covers
  3. Compared with other areas
  4. Rate map
  5. How it’s calculated
  6. Payment rules
  7. Related codes
  8. Rate history
  9. Where it applies
  10. Billing questions
  11. Sources

What 97597 covers

This service removes nonviable material from an open wound surface without removing subcutaneous tissue. Targets include fibrin, slough, exudate, debris, biofilm, and devitalized epidermis or dermis. Common methods are sharp selective debridement with forceps, scissors, scalpel, or curette, and high-pressure waterjet. The service includes wound assessment, topical applications, and instructions for ongoing care. Physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, podiatrists, and physical therapists perform it in wound care clinics, offices, outpatient therapy departments, and nursing facilities. Typical wounds are diabetic foot ulcers, venous leg ulcers, pressure injuries, and slow-healing surgical wounds.

Report one unit per session for the first 20 sq cm or less of combined surface area across all wounds selectively debrided. Use 97598 for each additional 20 sq cm or part of it. Documentation should give each wound's location and length times width, the tissue removed, the instrument or method, and the depth reached. CMS assigns a 0-day global period, so same-day pre- and post-procedure care is included. Modifier 50 is inappropriate; no bilateral adjustment is available. Co-surgeons and team surgery are not permitted. An assistant is paid only when medical necessity is documented.

This summary was written with AI assistance from CMS physician fee schedule data and checked against the CMS billing rules shown here. Rates on this page come directly from CMS files.

How Washington, DC area compares for 97597

Across 109 of 109 payment localities, the office rate for 97597 runs from $90.18 in Arkansas to $136.59 in San Benito County, CA. Washington, DC area pays $116.40. The RVUs are the same everywhere; the geographic indexes change the dollars.

97597 in Washington, DC area vs other payment areas
  1. Washington, DC area · this page$116.40
  2. Los Angeles, CA · California$115.70−$0.70
  3. Miami, FL · Florida$107.16−$9.24
  4. Chicago, IL · Illinois$104.25−$12.15
  5. Manhattan, NY · New York$116.24−$0.16
  6. Alaska · Alaska$118.18+$1.78
  7. Alabama · Alabama$91.46−$24.94

Other areas in District of Columbia first, then benchmark localities. Bars start at $0.

Every other payment area

97597 in every other Medicare payment locality
Payment localityOfficeFacility
ArkansasArkansas$90.18$29.64
ArizonaArizona$98.98$30.69
Bakersfield, CACalifornia$108.54$31.30
Chico, CACalifornia$108.37$31.13
El Centro, CACalifornia$108.38$31.14
Fresno, CACalifornia$108.37$31.13
Hanford, CACalifornia$108.37$31.13
Madera, CACalifornia$108.37$31.13

97597 rates by state

Office rate range in each state. Select a state to see its payment localities.

MEWIVTNHMTNDMNMINYMARIWAIDWYSDIAILINOHPANJCTORNVUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDECAAZNMKSOKARTNNCSCDCTXLAMSALGAFLAKHI

Explore a state

Local rates. Clear comparisons.

Hover or focus a tile to see its rate range. Select it to open the state’s fee schedule.

$90.18

$122.48

Color shows the midpoint of each state’s locality range.

View every state and territory as a table
97597 office rate range by state
State / territoryOffice rate rangeLocalities
AK$118.181
AL$91.461
AR$90.181
AZ$98.981
CA$108.37–$136.5929
CO$106.261
CT$108.151
DC$116.401
DE$100.601
FL$99.09–$107.163
GA$93.78–$103.152
GU$111.091
HI$111.091
IA$94.171
ID$94.671
IL$95.97–$105.024
IN$95.221
KS$93.531
KY$93.091
LA$92.86–$97.352
MA$105.57–$116.902
MD$102.55–$116.403
ME$94.92–$100.252
MI$95.25–$100.072
MN$102.531
MO$91.17–$97.953
MS$90.701
MT$101.541
NC$95.921
ND$100.551
NE$94.741
NH$104.401
NJ$109.59–$115.202
NM$95.661
NV$101.331
NY$97.30–$118.715
OH$95.041
OK$93.161
OR$100.74–$109.822
PA$95.31–$105.382
PR$102.341
RI$104.301
SC$95.601
SD$100.431
TN$93.961
TX$94.69–$105.748
UT$96.881
VA$99.78–$116.402
VI$102.341
VT$99.971
WA$105.43–$119.472
WI$97.241
WV$92.461
WY$101.101

See 97597 in every payment locality

How the 97597 rate is calculated

Each of 97597’s three RVUs is multiplied by a geographic index (GPCI) for the payment locality, added up, and multiplied by the conversion factor. Drag the indexes or enter a ZIP to see what moves the rate.

How the rate is built · 97597

RVUs × geographic indexes × conversion factor

Office or facility?

Work0.75

0.75 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Practice expense2.24

2.24 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Malpractice0.05

0.05 RVUs× 1.000 GPCI

Adjusted RVUs

3.0400

Conversion factor

$33.4009

Medicare rate

$101.54

Every GPCI starts at 1.000, the national rate. Enter a ZIP or drag a slider.

The exact Washington, DC area inputs and CMS source lines

PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv

12,899

Code
97597
Physician work
0.75
Practice expense
2.24
Malpractice
0.05

GPCI2026.csv

39

Locality
Washington, DC area
Physician work
1.054
Practice expense
1.178
Malpractice
1.113
Office calculation for 97597 in Washington, DC area
ComponentRVULocality factorAdjusted
Physician work0.75× 1.0540.7905
Practice expense2.24× 1.1782.6387
Malpractice0.05× 1.1130.0557
Total RVUs3.4849
Conversion factor× 33.4009

Office rate, Washington, DC area$116.40

Office: (0.75 × 1.054 + 2.24 × 1.178 + 0.05 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $116.40

Facility: (0.75 × 1.054 + 0.13 × 1.178 + 0.05 × 1.113) × $33.4009 = $33.38

Open 97597 in the RVU calculator

Payment rules and modifiers for 97597

The CMS indicators that decide how 97597 is paid alongside other services.

CMS payment indicators · 97597

Selective wound debridement, first 20 sq cm or less

RuleCMS valueWhat it means
Global period000Same-day global: pre- and post-op care on the day of the procedure is included.
Multiple procedures0No multiple-procedure reduction.
Bilateral (modifier 50)0The 150% bilateral adjustment doesn’t apply.
Assistant at surgery (80/81/82/AS)0Not paid without supporting documentation.
Co-surgeons (62)0Not permitted.
Team surgery (66)0Not permitted.
Professional/technical0Physician service: no professional/technical split.

Codes related to 97597

Related codes aren’t interchangeable: bill the code that matches the service performed.

Codes related to 97597
CodeHow it relatesOffice range, Washington, DC area
Add-on codes
97598Wound debridement, each additional 20 cm²Add-on for each additional 20 sq cm of selectively debrided wound surface.$54.11
Used instead
97602Wound debridement, nonselective methodNonselective debridement, such as enzymatic or wet-to-moist care, used instead of selective removal.No office rate
11042Wound debridement, subcutaneous tissue, first 20 sq cmDebridement that removes subcutaneous tissue rather than material limited to the wound surface or skin.$151.86
11043Wound debridement, muscle or fascia, initial areaDebridement that removes muscle or fascia rather than material limited to the wound surface or skin.$270.31

How 97597 has changed in Washington, DC area

97597 · Office / nonfacility

$116.40

Effective 2026-10-01

The base rate is $4.52 higher than on 2025-10-01, moving from $111.88 to $116.40 (4.0%).

It is unchanged from the immediately preceding available release, effective 2026-07-01.

Base rate by release · bars start at $0 · select a bar to compare

One bar per available release, ordered by effective date. Missing rates remain gaps. These comparisons hold the code, setting and locality identifiers constant; they do not isolate which policy or input caused a change.

What changed, release by release

  1. January 1, 2026

    RVU26A

    $111.88changed to$116.40

    • Conversion factor 32.3465 changed to 33.4009
    • Work RVU 0.77 changed to 0.75
    • Practice expense RVU 2.17 changed to 2.24
    • Work GPCI 1.057 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.192 changed to 1.178
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.168 changed to 1.113

    Held through RVU26B, RVU26C, RVU26D.

  2. January 1, 2025

    RVU25A

    $116.72changed to$111.88

    • Conversion factor 33.2875 changed to 32.3465
    • Practice expense RVU 2.20 changed to 2.17
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05

    Held through RVU25B, RVU25C, RVU25D.

  3. March 9, 2024

    RVU24AR

    $114.81changed to$116.72

    • Conversion factor 32.7442 changed to 33.2875

    Held through RVU24B, RVU24C, RVU24D.

  4. January 1, 2024

    RVU24A

    $119.74changed to$114.81

    • Conversion factor 33.8872 changed to 32.7442
    • Practice expense RVU 2.18 changed to 2.20
    • Work GPCI 1.056 changed to 1.057
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.214 changed to 1.192
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.231 changed to 1.168

  5. January 1, 2023

    RVU23A

    $124.89changed to$119.74

    • Conversion factor 34.6062 changed to 33.8872
    • Practice expense RVU 2.19 changed to 2.18
    • Malpractice RVU 0.07 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.054 changed to 1.056
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.236 changed to 1.214
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.294 changed to 1.231

    Held through RVU23B, RVU23C, RVU23D.

  6. January 1, 2022

    RVU22A

    $122.01changed to$124.89

    • Conversion factor 34.8931 changed to 34.6062
    • Practice expense RVU 2.12 changed to 2.19
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.07

    Held through RVU22B, RVU22C, RVU22D.

  7. January 1, 2021

    RVU21A

    $116.08changed to$122.01

    • Conversion factor 36.0896 changed to 34.8931
    • Practice expense RVU 1.91 changed to 2.12
    • Malpractice RVU 0.06 changed to 0.05
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.054
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.221 changed to 1.236
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.277 changed to 1.294

    Held through RVU21B, RVU21C, RVU21D.

  8. January 1, 2020

    RVU20A

    $106.54changed to$116.08

    • Conversion factor 36.0391 changed to 36.0896
    • Work RVU 0.51 changed to 0.77
    • Practice expense RVU 1.99 changed to 1.91
    • Malpractice RVU 0.02 changed to 0.06
    • Work GPCI 1.045 changed to 1.049
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.221
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.261 changed to 1.277

    Held through RVU20B, RVU20C, RVU20D.

  9. January 1, 2019

    RVU19A

    $99.91changed to$106.54

    • Conversion factor 35.9996 changed to 36.0391
    • Practice expense RVU 1.84 changed to 1.99

    Held through RVU19B, RVU19C, RVU19D.

  10. January 1, 2018

    RVU18AR1

    $89.29changed to$99.91

    • Conversion factor 35.8887 changed to 35.9996
    • Practice expense RVU 1.60 changed to 1.84
    • Work GPCI 1.048 changed to 1.045
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.271 changed to 1.261

    Held through RVU18B, RVU18C, RVU18D.

  11. January 1, 2017

    RVU17A

    $88.71changed to$89.29

    • Conversion factor 35.8043 changed to 35.8887
    • Practice expense RVU 1.59 changed to 1.60
    • Work GPCI 1.051 changed to 1.048
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.280 changed to 1.271

    Held through RVU17B, RVU17C, RVU17D.

  12. January 1, 2016

    RVU16A

    $90.38changed to$88.71

    • Conversion factor 35.9335 changed to 35.8043
    • Practice expense RVU 1.60 changed to 1.59
    • Malpractice RVU 0.04 changed to 0.02

    Held through RVU16B, RVU16C, RVU16D.

  13. July 1, 2015

    RVU15C

    $89.93changed to$90.38

    • Conversion factor 35.7547 changed to 35.9335

    Held through RVU15D.

  14. January 1, 2015

    RVU15A

    $89.81changed to$89.93

    • Conversion factor 35.8228 changed to 35.7547
    • Practice expense RVU 1.59 changed to 1.60
    • Malpractice RVU 0.05 changed to 0.04
    • Work GPCI 1.050 changed to 1.051
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.202 changed to 1.205
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.205 changed to 1.280

    Held through RVU15B.

  15. January 1, 2014

    RVU14A

    $91.05changed to$89.81

    • Conversion factor 34.0230 changed to 35.8228
    • Practice expense RVU 1.74 changed to 1.59
    • Work GPCI 1.049 changed to 1.050
    • Practice expense GPCI 1.198 changed to 1.202
    • Malpractice GPCI 1.130 changed to 1.205

    Held through RVU14B, RVU14C, RVU14D.

  16. January 1, 2013

    RVU13AR

    Earliest loaded release: $91.05

    Held through RVU13B, RVU13C, RVU13D.

Rates in every CMS release
Effective fromOfficeFacilityCMS release
2026-10-01$116.40$33.38RVU26D
2026-07-01$116.40$33.38RVU26C
2026-04-01$116.40$33.38RVU26B
2026-01-01$116.40$33.38RVU26A
2025-10-01$111.88$37.08RVU25D
2025-07-01$111.88$37.08RVU25C
2025-04-01$111.88$37.08RVU25B
2025-01-01$111.88$37.08RVU25A
2024-10-01$116.72$38.15RVU24D
2024-07-01$116.72$38.15RVU24C
2024-04-01$116.72$38.15RVU24B
2024-03-09$116.72$38.15RVU24AR
2024-01-01$114.81$37.53RVU24A
2023-10-01$119.74$39.11RVU23D
2023-07-01$119.74$39.11RVU23C
2023-04-01$119.74$39.11RVU23B
2023-01-01$119.74$39.11RVU23A
2022-10-01$124.89$40.63RVU22D
2022-07-01$124.89$40.63RVU22C
2022-04-01$124.89$40.63RVU22B
2022-01-01$124.89$40.63RVU22A
2021-10-01$122.01$40.06RVU21D
2021-07-01$122.01$40.06RVU21C
2021-04-01$122.01$40.06RVU21B
2021-01-01$122.01$40.06RVU21A
2020-10-01$116.08$41.61RVU20D
2020-07-01$116.08$41.61RVU20C
2020-04-01$116.08$41.61RVU20B
2020-01-01$116.08$41.61RVU20A
2019-10-01$106.54$26.63RVU19D
2019-07-01$106.54$26.63RVU19C
2019-04-01$106.54$26.63RVU19B
2019-01-01$106.54$26.63RVU19A
2018-10-01$99.91$26.60RVU18D
2018-07-01$99.91$26.60RVU18C
2018-04-01$99.91$26.60RVU18B
2018-01-01$99.91$26.60RVU18AR1
2017-10-01$89.29$25.72RVU17D
2017-07-01$89.29$25.72RVU17C
2017-04-01$89.29$25.72RVU17B
2017-01-01$89.29$25.72RVU17A
2016-10-01$88.71$25.72RVU16D
2016-07-01$88.71$25.72RVU16C
2016-04-01$88.71$25.72RVU16B
2016-01-01$88.71$25.72RVU16A
2015-10-01$90.38$26.73RVU15D
2015-07-01$90.38$26.73RVU15C
2015-04-01$89.93$26.60RVU15B
2015-01-01$89.93$26.60RVU15A
2014-10-01$89.81$26.94RVU14D
2014-07-01$89.81$26.94RVU14C
2014-04-01$89.81$26.94RVU14B
2014-01-01$89.81$26.94RVU14A
2013-10-01$91.05$25.42RVU13D
2013-07-01$91.05$25.42RVU13C
2013-04-01$91.05$25.42RVU13B
2013-01-01$91.05$25.42RVU13AR

Price 97597 for an earlier date of service

Where the Washington, DC area rate applies

Washington, DC area is a Medicare payment area, not a city. Our Census mapping connects it to 1 cities and communities in District of Columbia. Some span more than one payment area; confirm with the service ZIP.

  • Washington

Browse all communities in District of Columbia

97597 billing questions

How is wound size calculated when several wounds are debrided?

Add together the surface areas of all wounds that receive selective debridement in the session. Report 97597 once for the first 20 sq cm. Report 97598 for each additional 20 sq cm or part of it.

When should 11042 be reported instead of 97597?

Use 11042 when debridement removes subcutaneous tissue. Use 97597 when selective debridement removes material from the wound surface, epidermis, or dermis without removing subcutaneous tissue. Do not report both for the same wound.

Can 97602 be billed with 97597 for the same wound?

Do not report nonselective debridement under 97602 in addition to selective debridement under 97597 for the same wound in the same session.

Is a same-day E/M visit separately billable?

Assessment of the wound being debrided is included in the service. A significant, separately identifiable E/M service may be reported with modifier 25, but the note must support work beyond the debridement.

What modifier applies when a physical therapist performs the debridement?

When a physical therapist provides it under a therapy plan of care, Medicare expects the GP therapy modifier on the claim line.

What documentation supports the service?

Record each wound's location, length and width measurements, the tissue type removed, the instrument or method, and the depth reached. Also document the patient's tolerance and the ongoing care instructions given.

Where these rates come from

FeeBase calculates base physician payments from CMS work, practice-expense and malpractice RVUs, adjusted by each locality’s geographic indexes and the conversion factor. Services without a published rate are labeled, never given a made-up amount. Amounts are Medicare allowed amounts before claim adjustments: not a patient’s bill or a commercial rate.

CMS RVU26D · effective Oct 1, 2026 through the day before Jan 1, 2027

Show the CMS file lines behind this rate
RVUs for 97597PPRRVU2026_Oct_nonQPP.csv, line 12,899 (RVU26D)
Geographic factors for Washington, DC areaGPCI2026.csv, line 39 (RVU26D)

Open CMS sourceHow we calculate rates

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